Vol. 34 No. 2
Summer 2016
The Devil's Own Grim Reapers!
The Magazine of the 13th Bomb Squadron Association OUR HERITAGE - 13th Aero Squadron, 14 June 1917 www.13thbombsquadron.com
Couple Soars to New Heights
Summer 2016
The President’s Corner along with the San Diego harbor tours are GREETINGS:
two beautiful experiences. So go now to the web site and sign up for the 2016 reunion in “paradise.” (Info is provided on a reservation form herein.)
Hope all is well with you and your families as we get into midSummer.
SEND ME YOUR THOUGHTS:
As a geology student years ago we were taught that the earth had frequent bouts of Charley Brown temperature change; none of which were man-made. And, that we were probably toward the end of an ice retreat and near the beginning of a new ice age. So, I tend to think that the recent and current high temperatures are simply manifestations of what we were taught 60+ years ago. Now, what the H does that have to do with the 13th??? So, on to other matters:
In the past few issues I have asked for your thoughts and comments on a number of subjects. Thus far, I have heard from only one member! If you have read this magazine, and have thoughts about the future of our association and/or the magazine, please take a moment to write them down and send them to me. I promise I will study each comment/ proposal, evaluate each and bring those that need Board consideration to the Board at its annual meeting. We need your help!!! The vitality of this organization is based on your participation and support. I'm not just talking about the Reapers from the Korean War or the Vietnam War, but to the Reapers from all eras, including Reapers from Dyess and Whiteman as well, you all have played an important part in the history of this squadron. As the 13th Bomb Squadron approaches its 100 year mark, we need you all more than ever.
In June of 2016, Carl Renner, Don Kasson, their wives and I went to Whiteman and attended the 13th Bomb Squadron change of command ceremony. From what I heard, I think the 13th is in good hands with its new commander, whose call sign is Shin [she’s hot, I’m not]. (I’ll let you decide if his wife is what he proclaims) I found her to be very gracious and warm.
SAN DIEGO:
Of course, Stab will be missed, but I’m sure we will hear more from colonel-selectee Stab in the future. He and his lovely wife, also a previous 13th pilot, have assignments in the DC area and I expect that they will again be in our target area in the future. You can read all about them on page 6 of this issue.
Again, if you haven’t signed up for the 2016 reunion in San Diego, do it! Bob Parks has organized a wonderful reunion that should pique the interests of just about everyone. I can personally assure you that the Midway visit and the San Diego Zoo will satisfy the most doubtful among you; and our hospitality suite will completely fulfill your other needs. The reunion in San Diego is getting closer So, come join your other Reapers in this and closer. If you haven’t signed up yet go beautiful city. I look forward to seeing you. to our web site and do so. Bob Parks has put together a nice venue and agenda, and I’m sure And don’t forget, we have an election of two officers. you will enjoy San Diego and its offerings (especially the weather). The Aircraft Carrier, SEE YOU IN OCTOBER! Midway, is an awesome experience that even the wives should enjoy, and “The Zoo” 2
Summer 2016
Special Note to Readers As I had pointed out to in the last issue there is a proper protocol to reporting the passing of a member of the 13th Bomb Squadron Association. You are to contact Bob Parks, his email is: bob-parks@satx.rr.com Contacting Bob will insure that your friend or loved one will be listed and honored on our Memomiam page. Also, I am always looking for articles for the INVADER, especially articles with photos. If you are able to scan photos, to insure good quality reproduction, they must be scanned at high resolution, 300 dpi or better, they can be burned to CD, DVD or put onto a thumb drive. If you can't scan your photos and you want to have me scan them, you can send them to me and I'll scan them. Please be sure to include your return address and pack them safely so they don't get damaged in transit. Also include captions for the photos and where they need to be inserted in the article. If you can type the article in Microsoft Word, that would be great, if not, send typed copies of your manuscript and we will retype it on the computer. I can't guarantee that every article will make it into the next issue, but I will try and do my best to get them in the INVADER.
13th Bomb Squadron Association 2016 Reunion Notice. Our next reunion will take place in San Diego, CA, from 5-9 October 2016. Please let Bob Parks know if you are planning to attend. (This is not a final commitment; only an indication that will be used by your reunion planners to ensure that our accommodations meet all requirements.) Name:________________________________________ Address:______________________________________ City:_____________________State_____Zip:________ _____ Yes, I plan to attend and will have _____ other people with me.
The INVADER is the official newsletter of the 13th Bomb Squadron Association, a Non-profit organization. The INVADER is published three times yearly for the benefit of the Association members. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Association or of the Department of the Air Force. *Members of the 13th Bomb Squadron Association must maintain contact with the Association or “after two years of not communicating with the association, a member will no longer receive the INVADER or the Directory”. Editor: Don Henderson 254 Freeport Road New Kensington, PA 15068-5421 Tel: (412) 417-6667 e-mail: Don@HendersonGDI.com Henderson Graphic Design & Illustration www.HendersonGDI.com
_____ No, I can’t come this year but am interested in future reunions
Please clip out or copy and send this notice to: CMSG (USAF Ret) Bob Parks, 3219 Tavern Oaks, San Antonio, TX 78247-3080 or e-mail Bob at: bob-parks@satx.rr.com
Cover photo: U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Makros, the 13th Bomb Squadron commander, and Lt. Col. Beth Makros, the 509th Operations Group deputy commander, pose with a B-2 Spirit at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., June 7, 2016. The Makros are one of only three married couples to ever both fly the B-2. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michaela R. Slanchik)
The INVADER masthead displays the principal combat aircraft of the 13th Squadron since its initial activation in 1917. ©13th Bomb Squadron Association 2015
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Officers of the 13th Bomb Squadron Association Charles J. (Charley) Brown 905 Holbrook Circle Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547-6733 charley6272@yahoo.com
President
1st Vice President/
Secretary
Member at Large WWII
Member at Large Vietnam
Robert R. (Bob) Koehne 23332 SE 225th St. Maple Valley, WA 98038 csrrk@comcast.net
2nd Vice President Locator Data Manager
Edward T. (Tighe) Carvey 6980 Olympic View Ct. Silverdale, WA 98383 tcarvey@gmail.com
Treasurer Locator Data Manager
Edward D. (Ed) Connor, Jr. 1217 Earnestine St. McLean, VA 22101-2646 ravenfive5@verizon.net
Member at Large Korea
Ron Silvia 20 Green Lane Assonet, MA 02702-1410 finefiftynine@charter.net
Member at Large GWOT
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James R. (Bob) Parks 3219 Tavern Oaks St. San Antonio, TX, 78247 bob-parks@satx.rr.com
Bill Hamman 2950 SE Ocean Blvd. Apt 43-6 Stuart, FL 34996-3512 inme95@gmail.com
Ron Jarrett 10349 416th Avenue Britton, SD 57430-5005 rjarrett@brittonsd.com
Major Bradley R. Nadolny 13th Bomb Squadron, Whiteman AFB, MO bradleynadolny@gmail.com
Summer 2016
Letters & e-mails to the Editor
13TH BOMB SQUADRON
I have a scanned image of an artwork depicting my father in an EB-57 flying a mission out of Yokota AFB circa 1960 for the 6091st Recon Squadron. I will send it to you if you are interested, along with some text, for the 13th Bomb Squadron newsletter. You don’t have to commit to publishing it, I just don’t want to send you an image you don’t want to review.
ASSOCIATION DONATION FORM NAME:_______________________________________ ADDRESS:____________________________________ CITY:_________________STATE_____ZIP_________
It is not the 13th, but I think the squadron was in the same 3rd Bomb Wing. They flew air sampling missions downwind of Russian nuke tests.
DONATION AMOUNT ❏ $35.00 ❏ $50.00 ❏ $75.00❏ $100.00 ❏ Other If other, Please specify amount: $______ Please Make Check Payable to the 13th Bomb Squadron Association and mail to: Col (Ret) Bill Hamann, 2950 SE Ocean Blvd, Apt 124-2, Stuart, FL 34996-3551
Later, Dad was in the 13th at Da Nang. He gets your newsletter. I would like to surprise him seeing this image in the newsletter. I have the copyright. I drew the ink, B&W image from some of his photos, embellishing. Lloyd Konneker
To help with the cost of producing and mailing the Invader. Here is my most generous contribution to the 13th Bomb Squadron Association.
Thanks Lloyd! See page 8 of this issue for Lloyd's artwork.
My book: “KOREA A Short Time in a Small War” has
made me feel good by its acceptance and good reviews. As a non-author, I had a lot of uneasy feelings as to the worth of the book. I have received some great feedback from strangers and from the reviews posted on Amazon that it is a book worth reading... A reviewer for the USAF Navigators/Observers Association said it ought to be on every aviator’s book shelf, and it was nicely reviewed in the British magazine FLYPAST. For your own firsthand knowledge about the book go to “Amazon.com” on your computer, search for the title as above, click on the title, and scroll down to the near bottom of the page on the left side. I am offering readers of this ad a chance to cut Amazon’s profit out of the picture, avoid sales tax, and get a personalized to you, signed copy of the book. The book was initially priced at $24.99 and Amazon has discounted the price to $19.74, plus the sales tax in your state plus $4 shipping – about$ 24.90 to your door. Buy a signed copy from me direct, including shipping, for $17. ($13 per book plus $4 shipping) After my cost from Amazon plus shipping to me I will make about 3 bucks. If you were a Korean War Vet with the 13th it will give your kids & grand kids some insight into what you did or helped do in the War. It will make a really nice gift for the grand kids. You know that without our participation in that war the dynamic democracy in South Korea would be black like North Korea is today Send check or money order for $17 to Charles Hinton, 585 Teakwood Ave, Satellite Beach, FL 32937. 5
Summer 2016
Couple Soars to New Heights
By Airman 1st Class Michaela R. Slanchik, 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Beth Makros, the 509th Operations Group deputy commander, Lt. Col. Robert Makros, the 13th Bomb Squadron commander, and their three daughters, take a family photo after their final flight (fini-flight) at Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB), Mo., June 3, 2016. The Makros spent their 16th wedding anniversary flying B-2 Spirits, together, for the last time at Whiteman AFB, Mo., June 3, 2016.
A common idea for celebrating a wedding anniversary is to go out to dinner or see a movie. However, the Makros family spent their 16th wedding anniversary flying B-2 Spirits, together, for the last time at Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB), Missouri. “Sixteen years together. How else do you celebrate?” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Beth Makros, the 509th Operations Group deputy commander. “Let’s fly B-2s together.”
Beth said ever since they went to the academy, they both knew they wanted to be pilots. She, however, was told she couldn’t fly planes due to her height. “I would do everything I could to stretch my back out to be tall enough,” said Beth. “The morning of my flight qualification physical, I walked softly down to the clinic and had them measure me immediately. They told me I was 5 feet 4 inches tall, which was the minimum. I was so excited!”
On June 3, 2016, the couple flew their final flights, known as fini-flights, which happened to fall on their anniversary. The couple will be moving to the Washington, D.C., area for their next assignment.
After qualification, Beth and Robert graduated the academy and went to flight school. Beth flew the B-1B Lancer at Dyess AFB, Texas, while Robert flew the F-15B Strike Eagle at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.
Lt. Col. Robert Makros, the 13th Bomb Squadron commander, and his wife, Beth, met while attending the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1994.
“We were chasing each other for a while,” said Beth. “I went to Dyess trying to get to Mountain Home. Then September 11th happened, and we started deploying, and it was harder to see each other. 6
cont. on page 7
Summer 2016 “Beth and I pride ourselves on demonstrating to our daughters that mommy and daddy are equal in all things,” said Robert. “We want them to know, and witness through our actions, that they can be whatever they want, and that nothing is out of reach as long as they put in the required effort and hard work.”
”After spending six years working toward getting stationed together, the couple finally got orders to Vance AFB, Oklahoma, as T-38 pilot instructors. Following the assignment, they moved to Whiteman to fly the B-2 Spirit. Today, they are one of only three married couples to ever pilot the B-2 Spirit at Whiteman together. “It’s not just being married and having to balance the work load,” said Beth. “When we first got here, it was a real challenge. [Robert] was deployed. I was a new commander and had a baby, a 3 year-old and a 6 year-old.” Although the couple faced many challenges throughout their careers, together and apart, they kept their motivations for why they continue to serve in the forefront of their minds.
Not only do they demonstrate equality to their daughters through their careers, but also at home. “My husband probably cooks more than I do, he can do the girls’ hair, and he gets them dressed in the mornings,” said Beth. “He does that just as much, if not more, than I do, so that we can have this equal relationship, and the kids can see that.”
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Beth Makros, the 509th Operations Group deputy commander, and Lt. Col. Robert Makros, the 13th Bomb Squadron commander, pose with a B-2 Spirit at Whiteman Air Force Base, MO, June 7, 2016. The Makroses are one of only three married couples to ever both Robert said the couple believes fly the B-2. balance and perspective are the U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Michaela R. Slanchik
“Whenever I get tired or want to give up, I think of my daughters and other peoples’ daughters,” said Beth. “That’s why I continue to work hard--to show them that you can have a successful marriage. You can be a good mom, and you can be in charge of things and people.”
keys to success at work and home.
“Being able to fly our finiflights together was a great opportunity, especially because our daughters were able to share the experience with us,” said Robert. In the future, the couple aims to give back with public service. “Beth and I want to do more than just show up to work every day,” said Robert. “We want to be a part of something bigger than just us and have an impact on those in our community. We are leaning toward nonprofit work. What specifically, we are unsure, but we like the idea of working with our veterans.”
Robert said the Air Force’s people, the mission and his three daughters are what keep him motivated to work. “I know the work we do every day honors the great Americans who fought and died for this great nation,” said Robert. “It’s on their shoulders that all of us stand.”
Reprinted from the Whiteman Warrior, 6/17/2016
Both said their main focus is supporting one another to be the best they can be, while showing their daughters they have equal roles in their relationship. 7
Summer 2016
My dad flew high-altitude air sampling missions over the Pacific north of Japan, downwind of Russian nuclear tests. Their EB-57E had a sampling unit under the wing. At high altitude, at the proper time and place, they opened a door in the sampling unit and an air filter captured particles of radioactive fallout. On landing, transport planes rushed the air filters overnight to the states for analysis, to estimate attributes of the devices the Russians had tested. The 6091st Reconnaissance Squadron was part of the 3rd Bomb Wing and was stationed at Yokota AFB, circa 1960. The amazing thing is their altitude. They sometimes flew to 50,000 feet, above the service ceiling. The pilots had to carefully monitor the tailpipe temperature. The cockpit was pressurized but they wore primitive pressure suits that, if cabin pressure was lost, would squeeze their body and extremities, until they could make an emergency descent. Despite the danger, the pilots would remove their oxygen masks to smoke cigarettes. The engine manufacturer tested engines coming off the production line, and the cream of the crop went into these airplanes. Later, NASA used B-57 derivatives for other high-altitude research. My artwork derives from several photographs. The airframe, tail number 279, is now on display at Peterson Air and Space Museum in Colorado. I tried to depict that they were able to fly over thunderheads, and that they neared the edge of space. -Lloyd Konneker 8
Summer 2016
13th Bomb Squadron COC
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Matthew Newell, right, takes command of the 13th Bomb Squadron (BS) by receiving the guidon from Col. Brian Gallo, the commander of the 509th Operations Group, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., June 10, 2016. U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Danielle Quilla
Additional photos courtesy of Carl Renner.
On June 10th 2016, the 13th Bomb Squadron had a Change of Command. The CoC was attended by several member of the Association that included Carl & Mary Renner, Don & Betty Kasson and Association President Charley Brown. The ceremony was in Hangar 52 where Carl, Mary, Don, Betty and Charley were greeted personally by Brig Gen Paul W. Tibbets IV, Commander
of the 509th Bomb Wing, followed by the out going CO of the 13th Bomb Squadron Col Robert Markros, his wife Lt. Col. Beth Markros and incoming CO Lt. Col. Matthew Newell. In the Ceremony, the 13th Bomb Squadron guidon was passed from Col. Brian Gallo, the commander of the 509th Operations Group, at Whiteman Air Force Base to the new Commander. 9
Summer 2016
Korea - A Short Time in a Small War An Excerpt from the book by Charles W. Hinton
Aircraft Nan - January 4, 1952, B-26B SN 44-347901
On January 3rd I made my 2nd dollar ride. From the writing in the diary it looks like I made several entries at one time – all with the same pen. I didn’t get any significant information logged except the pilot, Captain Palmer, the aircraft tail ID “F”, known on the flight line as “Fox”, the route is Red-19 again, and the note that we destroyed one truck, Palmer was a good pilot and the mission was a little “hairy”
and walked out to the end of the runway. A crew had attempted to abort a takeoff and had overrun into the tidal mud and sands of the bay where the nose gear collapsed, the nose dug in and the fully combat loaded airplane flipped over onto its back. The gunner, Bob Ferguson, was uninjured and was able to get out his side emergency door and, using a piece of window glass as a shovel, dug the navigator, Vince Alessi, also uninjured, 2nd Lt Vince Alessi and pilot Dick Gerrity with some Saturday January 5th. Somebody injuries out before the tide came in kicked my bed early and said, “C’mon, get your to drown them. It was a god-awful mess. camera. A plane crashed on the end of the runway last night.” We went to the end of the street and 2nd Lt Vince Alessi had an awful week as you caught the flight line truck to the squadron offices will see. 10
cont. on page 11
Summer 2016
volunteered for a 56th mission. There were I looked at the airplane with disbelief. How some people who just enjoyed the excitement of could anyone have survived that? The armament combat – gunner Lucien Thomas comes to mind. people had cleaned up the mess of bombs from Grubbs was known to be an aggressive pilot. the wing load except for a single bomb lying on Anyway, they were hit and a 20 mm round came the wing that was said to be armed. The nose into the cockpit was a crumpled destroying the mess nearly all VHF radio and the the way back to resulting shrapnel the cockpit. The hit Grubbs in armament people the head. There had removed the are lots of blood machine guns vessels in the and nose wheel head and a wound assembly. From there can bleed the front view like crazy. Not there was no view only losing a lot of of the cockpit blood, Grubbs was canopy that was most likely dazed mashed into the from the event. Base Commander, Colonel Marshal Grey decorates Vince Alessi and mud flats. From Johnnie Grubbs with Silver Stars. Official Air Force photo He remained the side view conscious but was the back of the unable to see because of the blood on his face and fuselage was broken into a shallow “V” shape in his eyes. The navigator can’t reach the controls at the gunners compartment and the vertical from the right seat and they were in deep doostabilizer mashed into the mud or sand.. Imagine doo. Alessi talked Grubbs into getting control of all the crew hanging upside down by their seat the aircraft – “up a little” “down a little” “left a belts, and the cockpit canopy closed. Ferguson, little” and they headed home. with his compartment crushed, was able to get out a tiny emergency door. The cockpit canopy Alessi had a URC-4 emergency radio in his opens up on the ground and I can’t picture any armpits under the Mae West, and in some fashion procedure that Ferguson could dig the cockpit got it removed so he could establish radio contact crew out but somehow he did. with Dentist at JOC. Unless you have been in a B-26 cockpit with a two part radio under your Ferguson received a Soldier’s Medal for his arm pits in a vest under your Mae West under digging the other guys out with a piece of broken your heavy winter flying jacket under your window glass. The aircraft had tail ID of Nan, and serial number of 44-347901. I unlimbered my parachute, you can’t appreciate what a task Alessi accomplished getting undressed in the cockpit. camera and got a side shot of the broken back of the airplane and a couple of shots toward the front However, he wasn’t done yet – there was the of the plane. landing task back at K-8 and with a gunner, Earl Brooks, in the back. They elected to try Just 4 days after his involvement in the end of the landing rather than bail out and Alessi runway crash, Vince Alessi had another near talked Grubbs into a successful landing with an death experience. He was crewed with pilot improvised GCA (Ground Controlled Approach) Johnnie Grubbs and gunner Earl Brooks in Old from the right seat. Actually they missed the Able. The tour then was 55 missions, but Grubbs 11
cont. on page 14
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first landing and went around for a second try that was successful. I have ridden through a lot of real GCAs and I don’t know how he did that. Maybe Grubbs had some vision back by then.
mother sent me a copy of the story from the paper in Springfield Illinois. The article tended to tarnish my assurance that the most dangerous thing I did was climb up and down the side of the airplane.
Alessi got a small break from combat then when Vince Alessi with right arm in cast, John Kennedy and Bo Ellis. he and Grubbs went to the hospital in Japan, and during the trip Skipping ahead a bit, Grubbs, Alessi and he and Grubbs were both awarded Silver Stars Brooks went to Japan for debriefing after their for the mission. Silver Stars are for courageous harrowing mission and returned to K-8 back to action against an enemy and I didn’t understand flying combat. I don’t know if gunner Brooks how their fight for survival met the criteria for was recognized or not. Sometime not long after the Silver Star, but Vince Alessi sure deserved they returned to base Alessi was sitting at the something. bar having a drink with “Bob May”, who had already had much too much to drink. “May” A few days later the Stars and Stripes newspaper leans over and tells Alessi, “You know what – had a nice write up on the event and later still my we’re not doing a very good job here. We need to have more losses.” Alessi turns around and gives “May” a stiff punch in the mouth that sent “May” staggering. Without a word “May” turns around and leaves the club. He proceeds back to the housing area and sat down on Alessi’s doorstep. Eventually Alessi comes home and a terrible fight ensues, leaving “May” with two black eyes and Alessi with a broken arm. By this time Alessi had flown most of his tour and he Gunner Earl Brooks was the squadron artist and painted Oscar logos for all the was sent home. Squadron units, the art work on some airplanes and any graphics needed by the Commander. Official Air Force photo.
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From the 3rd Attack Group by Gerry Kersey
Dick Walker at Hollandia with pilots in front of A-20G "Patches".and bulldog "Rabaul".
Editors Note: For those of you who don't know Gerry Kersey, you should, Gerry runs www.3rdattackgroup.org. He is a wealth of information, a tenacious researcher who has solved some 13th mysteries, that without Gerry's work would have been lost to time. If you have an interest in the 13th Attack Squadron in WWII, there is no better place on the worldwide web to see photos and stories about this significant part of 13th history, you need to visit Gerry's web site
Sgt Donald H. George, 13th Attack Squadron
Sgt Donald H. George's bulldog "Rabaul"..
In a recent photo share from Jack Heyn, the Sergeant George has been identified as S/Sgt. Donald H. George. In December 1941, he was PFC Donald H. George with the 13th Squadron. Many thanks as always to Edward Rogers for his help. Sgt. George also had a dog which was named Rabaul. Jack took a photo of him as a puppy. Another shot from Jack shows Dick Walker at Hollandia with pilots in front of A-20G "Patches". The bulldog is "Rabaul" whose owner, Sgt Donald George, succeeded in smuggling him back home where he ended his days in Little Rock, Arkansas. -Gerry Kersey
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cont. on page 14
Summer 2016
MIA from the 3rd Attack Group by Gerry Kersey
I recently received an email and phone call from Gus Breymann regarding a book entitled "The Search That Never Was" by J. L Wright.
Here is the inquiry and Pastor Wright's reply. Pastor Wright: I believe you may be author of the intriguing book about the Quartermaster Corps search for personnel and planes in the South Pacific that ended in 1949. If I have reached the wrong J. L. Wright, I apologize.
"The Search That Never Was" is the true story of a more than ten-year effort to find the facts surrounding the disappearance of the author's uncle, Lloyd If you are the author, thank Richard Morgan, a World War you for your research! Your II U.S. Navy aviation radioman introduction to it parallels so 2nd class. Aboard a Navy B-24 very closely my family's response bomber that left Carney Field on to my uncle's loss in the South Guadalcanal for a mission on July Pacific. (As a matter of fact, 17, 1943, Lloyd's plane failed to you describe his plane's loss on return. The book not only reveals Captain Gustave M. Heiss Jr. 13th Attack September 4, 1942 on page 302 what happened to the aircraft of your book.) The saved letters Squadron, MIA/KIA. and crew, but moves through the from Australia and New Guinea. process of search and recovery of The scrapbooks. His mother's lingering hope that he missing-in-action personnel after World War II and might miraculously appear. up to the present day. A major portion of the story concerns the search that the U.S. Army Quartermaster I am the nephew of Captain Gustave M. Heiss. I Corps conducted in 1948-49 throughout the islands have his Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF). of the South Pacific. The log of that search, which It includes a QMC Non-Recoverable Case Record was only declassified in 2010, reveals some very or Review and Approval, approved on 25 July, surprising facts that have never before been made 1949, It was Case #8830. The IDPF also includes public. The book is occasionally funny, often sad, a QMC Non-Recoverable Remains Reexamination and reveals startling facts surrounding the attempted of Records for his case that was approved on 1 recovery of WWII MIAs in the South Pacific. J.L. February, 1951. It is possible that, like your uncle's Wright is a Lutheran pastor of a small congregation plane, my uncle's B-25 went down in deep water and in Snyder, Texas. He is also a retired federal prison may have been on the "deep water list" you describe. chaplain and a disabled veteran who served more than Without addressing other questions and thoughts thirteen years in the U.S. Air Force. He holds degrees about your book, I do have one question. In your from Wayland Baptist University, Pacific Lutheran index of names beginning on page 575, there's the Theological Seminary and Luther Seminary. "Most implication that all those names appeared in the of the records from WWII are still classified. Lloyd's mother, my grandmother, lived to be 105, and she kept Quartermaster Corps logs. Is that correct, or does and treasured every letter and memento. The long-held the index include names from the logs, plus names that result from your own research? secrecy concerning what had happened kept her from knowing the truth." Thank you again for your analysis and the 674 log Gus contacted the author since he is the nephew entries in the book. I look forward to your reply, of Gustave Heiss of the 13th Squadron, who went with gratitude. missing with his crew aboard B-25C #41-12472, “Hep Gus H. Breymann Cat,� returning to Port Moresby, New Guinea, from a Nephew of Capt. Gustave M. Heiss combat mission to Milne Bay on September 4, 1942. 16
cont. on page 17
Summer 2016 Gus, thank you so much. The names come mostly from research from a variety of sources. I tried to verify each and every name through Ancestry.com and military records plus Joe Baughers (?) BOS Nos aircraft numbers. He is a great source for the history of an aircraft. If I can answer anything else, please write, and again thank you. Jim Wright
Below is review of the book by Gus Breymann. Many crew members aboard 3rd Attack Group aircraft went missing and were never found. That’s a sad fact of all wars. From personal experience, I believe that surviving family members of WWII MIA and KIA crews are still curious and sometimes haunted about relatives’ wartime disappearance and death on land and in the sea around the world. The current search for Brigadier General Kenneth Walker’s B-17, “The San Antonio Rose” is an example of the undying interest in recovering remains from downed aircraft even seventy-plus years after the event. For many years, I have been aware that an official search for missing crews in the South Pacific did take place in 1948 and 1949. Now, however, one author has added some light to the search in a 2014 book. In The Search That Never Was: The Untold Truth About the 1948-49 Search for World War II American Personnel Missing in Action in the South Pacific, J. L. Wright recounts the search by the 604th Quartermaster Company for men like Wright’s uncle, whose B-24 was shot down near Faisi Island on a mission to Bougainville in 1943. Mr. Wright’s primary contribution to the history of searches in the South Pacific is his inclusion, for the first time, of the verbatim daily log, consisting of 674 individual entries by those in the Quartermaster Company who participated in the search in 1948 and 1949. Interspersed among them is Mr. Wright’s own research about lost planes and crews, including my own uncle’s B-25 off the southern shore of New Guinea. He relies on sources like Justin Taylan’s Pacific Wrecks website and Joe Baugher’s extensive records about aircraft registration numbers. I found one assertion interesting. Although it is uncertain, Mr. Wright believes that there was an official “deep water list” of planes that crashed into
the sea at a depth of greater than one-hundred feet and that the Quartermaster Company excluded those planes from their search. Given the fact that there were about 150,000 missing Americans near the end of World War II, it does not seem unreasonable that search efforts would be constrained in some way to produce positive results. Still, the author points out that some of those aboard planes that went down in deep water might have survived and eventually made it to land. In fact, some did. Most unfortunately, the Quartermaster Company report excludes a summation of the outcome of its yearlong voyage. Wright details several other failures of the 1948-49 search. Indeed, his main contribution is that he calls into question the very meaning of the term “search.” He concludes, “This expedition appears to be more about presenting a positive image to the general public than it was an actual search for our missing soldiers, sailors and airmen.” The Quartermaster Company log supports that conclusion. Wright and I share kinship in that we both lost uncles whose bodies were non-recoverable in the South Pacific. For those of us who knew that the 1948-49 expedition occurred, his book is valuable for two reasons. It reveals the official content of a report for the first time. It highlights the limited scope and apparent failures the effort. The main reason that I pass this along is that have inquiries from researchers regarding any photographic evidence of personnel lost in aircraft crashes both on land and at sea. I will always pass along anything & everything available gladly. I do apologize for being so long in replying to so many of you. The medication I take for the diabetic neuropathy which has destroyed the nerves in my feet has slowed me down considerably. I remain committed to attempting to make available to everyone free of charge as many documents & photos regarding the 3rd Attack Group and its attached squadrons from its inception to the present day and not just WWII. -Gerry For more information on Capt Heiss and others who served in the 3rd Attack Group, Please visit Gerry Kerssey's 3rd Attack Group website:
http://www.3rdattackgroup.org 17
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Deaths Not Previously Reported As of June 25, 2016
Tedd L. Bishop June 16, 2016 Pilot 1952 Ernest F. Burchfield February 16, 2016 Supply 1951-52 Robert N. McClary December 24, 2015 B-26 Electrician 1955-56 Kenneth D. McMillin October 1, 2015 Engineer 1952 Cecil R. Riddle February 12, 2012 Navigator 1950-52
Rest In Peace Norman R. Adams November 22, 2006 Engine Mechanic 1955-57 Calvin J. Bradley March 23, 2015 Navigator 1951 Wallace F. Hobbs 2015 Crew Chief 1954-56 Lyda R. Israel September 6, 2015 Gunner 1951-52 Arthur M. Maturkanich June 17, 2015 Gunner 1952
Allison T. Adams July 4, 1998 Navigator 1955-57 William R. Owen September 2, 2012 Navigator 1953 James E. Price June 11, 2014 Navigator 1952-53 Michael J. Pasciolla February 17, 2016 Communications 1953 Len Griffith 2015 Pilot 1953-54
To report the passing of 13th Bomb Squadron members, please contact: James R. (Bob) Parks, 3219 Tavern Oaks St., San Antonio, TX, 78247 or email bob-parks@satx.rr.com
I'll Fly Away By Albert E. Brumley
Some bright morning when this life is over I'll fly away To that home on God's celestial shore I'll fly away I'll fly away, oh glory I'll fly away in the morning When I die hallelujah by and by I'll fly away
When the shadows of this life have gone I'll fly away Oh how glad and happy when we meet I'll fly away When I die hallelujah by and by I'll fly away I'll fly away oh glory I'll fly away in the morning When I die hallelujah by and by I'll fly away 18
Just a few more weary days and then I'll fly away To a land where joys will never end I'll fly away I'll fly away oh glory I'll fly away in the morning When I die hallelujah by and by I'll fly away I'll fly away
Summer 2016
13th BOMB SQUADRON REUNION 2016
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Summer 2016
13th BOMB SQUADRON REUNION 2016 OCTOBER 5-9, 2016 13th BOMB SQUADRON REUNION
CROWNE PLAZA – HOTEL CIRCLE NORTH - SAN DIEGO Wednesday, October 5 2:00pm - 5:00pm 3:00pm - 5:00pm 6:00pm
Hospitality Room Open Reunion Registration open Board Meeting Buffet Dinner (Poolside Lawn Area) (Weather B/U Pacific Surf Room)
7:30am 9:00am 1:30pm 3:30pm 5:45pm
Thursday, October 6 Hospitality Room Open Reunion Registration open USS Midway Tour (Lunch on your own) San Diego Bus Tour Reunion Registration open “RED SHIRT NIGHT” -- SAN DIEGO HARBOR DINNER CRUISE
9:00am
-
8:30am 1:30pm 3:30pm 5:00pm 10:30pm
- 5:00pm
10:00am -
7:00pm
Friday, October 7 Hospitality Room Open San Diego “Old Town Trolley Hop on – Hop off Tour” at your leisure Dinner and evening on your own Saturday, October 8 Hospitality Room Open 12:00am Business Meeting (Cove 1 &2) Free Day to explore San Diego area on your own. Hotel provides complimentary transportation to the nearby shopping mall and to the San Diego Zoo/Balboa Park. Banquet Dinner is served
Sunday, October 9 7:00am - 9:00am Farewell Breakfast (Pacific Surf Room) CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY For attendees canceling reunion activities prior to the cut-off date, we will process a full refund less any required deposits that had been previously guaranteed to the activity. Attendees canceling reunion activities after the cut-off date will be refunded to the fullest extent that vendor’s commitments and guarantees allow. Please call Bob Parks at (210)496-0497 to cancel reunion activities and obtain a cancellation code. Refunds will be processed 4-6 weeks after the reunion. Please note that canceling your hotel reservation does not cancel your reunion activities. 20
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13th BOMB SQUADRON REUNION 2016 13th BOMB SQUADRON REUNION ACTIVITY REGISTRATION FORM – OCTOBER 5-9, 2016 Listed below are all of the registration, tour and meal costs for the San Diego reunion. Please enter how many people will be participating in each event and total the amount. Send that amount payable to 13th Bomb Squadron Association in the form of check or money order. A receipt will be mailed to your return address. All registration forms and payments must be received by August 31, 2016. After that date, reservations will be accepted on a space available basis. Please do not staple or tape your payment to this form. 13th Bomb Squadron Association Attn: Bob Parks 3219 Tavern Oaks St San Antonio, TX 78247
TOURS Thursday, 10/6, USS Midway Friday, 10/7: Hop-On Hop-Off Tour REGISTRATION PACKAGE COST IS $175 Includes Wednesday Buffet, Thursday “Red Shirt Night”, Hotel Breakfast Buffet Each Morning, Saturday Banquet. Please select your Saturday Banquet Entrée below: London Broil Lemon Caper Chicken Baked Mahi Mahi Portobello Mushroom Ravioli Please select your Harbor Cruise Dinner entrée below: Beef Short Ribs Rosemary Roasted Chicken Atlantic Salmon Contribution to 13th Bomb Squadron Association Total amount due:
Price Per
# of people
Total
$48.00 $36.00
$175/pkg $175/pkg $175/pkg $175/pkg
PLEASE PRINT NAME AS YOU WANT IT TO APPEAR ON YOUR NAME TAG: st
FIRST _______________________ LAST _______________________ 1 REUNION YES___ NO ___ SPOUSE NAME (IF ATTENDING) ________________________________________________________ GUEST NAMES ______________________________________________________________________ STREET ADDRESS ___________________________________________________________________ CITY _______________________ STATE _______ ZIP ____________________________________ PH. NUMBER (_____) _____-_________ EMAIL ADDRESS ___________________________________ DISABILITY/DIETARY RESTRICTIONS ___________________________________________________ MUST YOU BE LIFTED HYDAULICALLY ONTO THE BUS WHILE SEATED IN YOUR WHEELCHAIR IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN BUS TRIPS? _____YES _____ NO (PLEASE NOTE AVAILABITY CANNOT GAURANTEED) EMERGENCY CONTACT ___________________________________
PH. NUMBER (______) ______-_________
For refunds and/or cancelations please refer to the policy outlined at the bottom of the reunion program page.
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13th BOMB SQUADRON REUNION 2016 TOUR DESCRIPTIONS USS MIDWAY Thursday, October 6 Spend the morning exploring the USS Midway Museum, located along the Navy Pier in downtown San Diego featuring the longest-serving U.S. Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Enjoy a self-guided audio tour of 60 different locations on the carrier, from the engine compartments to the control tower; and family-friendly activities including listening to real pilot conversations during Desert Storm. Enjoy Lunch on your own and get back on the bus at 1:30 PM to return to the hotel via a windshield tour of San Diego.
9:00am board bus, 3:30pm back at hotel $48/Person includes bus and admission. Lunch on your own.
San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise Thursday, October 6 Experience the crisp, clear glory of a San Diego evening from the comfort of a comfortable and spacious yacht. You will be greeted with a boarding glass of chilled champagne. Sit down to a delicious three-course dinner, made on board by our chefs from local, seasonal ingredients and served by our award-winning stewards. And then head out to the deck for a spin on the dance floor or stroll the decks under the stars. Enjoy breathtaking views of San Diego’s most famous sights, including the Coronado Bay Bridge, the Star of India, the North Island Naval station and the USS Midway aircraft carrier.
5:45pm board bus, 10:30pm back at hotel Cost included in registration package
San Diego Hop on/Hop off Tour
Friday, October 7 Enjoy a day on your own by taking the San Diego Hop On/Hop Off Trolley tour, a two hour tour of San Diego. Old Town Trolley will chauffeur/show you around California’s second largest city, where blue skies, exciting attractions and 70 miles of beaches come together to create a vacationer’s paradise. Hop aboard the Old Town trolleys and you’ll experience a delightful combination of transportation and entertainment. Old Town Trolley allows you to explore San Diego at your own pace as you hop on and off at your favorite stops. For those who do not want to spend the complete day out, the hotel will pick you up at the Old Town ticket office whenever you’re ready to return to the hotel. 9:00 board trolley, 5:30pm back at hotel $36/Person. Lunch on your own.
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The Hot SEAT Editor’s Comments
Summer Fun This summer has proved to be interesting so far. Aside from all my work, I've had some time for a little fun. On Memorial Day, the New Kensington Camera Club dedicated a Pennsylvania Historic Marker to photographer Eddie Adams. Eddie, as you might know, took the famous photograph of an execution on a Saigon street during the Tet Offensive in 1968 that earned him an unwanted Pulitzer Prize for Spot Photography in 1969. We dedicated the marker and had a reception at a showing of his Vietnam photos at Penn State's New Kensington campus. In June, I attended the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival in Butler Pennsylvania with my daughter and her boyfriend, Alex. Most of you have riden in a Jeep or two during your service, but did you know that the first Jeep was made in Butler, Pennsylvania by American Bantam Car Company? The Bantam Reconnaissance Car, or BRC, was the first General Purpose "GP", or as it became known, the "Jeep" vehicle built for the military. American Bantam was a small company building small cars based on the British Austin. When the government asked American auto makers to design a small general purpose vehicle, only Bantam came through with a working prototype and got the contract to build the Jeep! As WWII heated up, Bantam was unable to meet the demand for all the Jeeps that the military needed and the Bantam design was handed over to Willys-Overland who themselves became overwhelmed by the demand and that brought Ford into the picture. Between Bantam, Willys and Ford, from 1940 to 1945, a total of 647,925 Jeeps were built! They built so many Jeeps that the Germans thought every G.I. came with his own Jeep. The Jeep was pressed into service for everything. From ambulances, to gun platforms, to rail cars, the tough little 4-Wheel Drive Jeep proved it could do most anything and was one of the machines credited with helping
win the war. The G.I.'s, Sailors and Airmen all loved their Jeeps and that love affair didn't end with WWII. The Jeep became just as popular in civilian life as the CJ, or Civilian Jeep, became popular Don Henderson, Editor with farmers, construction workers, outdoorsmen and with former servicemen who could not get enough of these perky little versatile vehicles. The Jeep is an American icon and it all started, and is celebrated, in Butler, Pennsylvania! On a sad note, we lost our beloved Blue Weimaraner, Cleo, on her 7th birthday. I came home on Father's Day after working at the Frick Car & Carriage Museum all day and my wife said Cleo doesn't seem right. She was lethargic and her belly seemed bloated. After calling our vet, they suggested we take her to the Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center. This is a serious animal hospital where the Pittsburgh Police take their K-9's. After initial examinations and an x-ray of her stomach, they ruled out bloat, but they had some concerns and wanted to do further tests and additional x-rays. They seemed to think she may have pneumonia and had put her on oxygen to assist her breathing, but after the additional x-rays and blood work, our worst fears were realized. She had cancer. It was lymphoma and it had metastasized to other organs, including her kidneys. We were there till 2:30 AM. They kept her over night, but there was little they could do, and what they could do gave us no guarantees that they could save her. So we made the difficult, but humane, decision to let her go. At 7:00 PM on her 7th birthday, we said good bye to our dear sweet Cleo. It was a horrible and very expensive experience, but we had to let her go. We gathered all around her, even our other Weimaraner Libby was there with us, and we said goodbye.
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13th Bomb Squadron Association
Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID West Press 85726
Bob Parks 3219 Tavern Oaks St. San Antonio, TX 78247-3080 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Beth Makros, the 509th Operations Group deputy commander, Lt. Col. Robert Makros, the 13th Bomb Squadron commander, and their three daughters, take a family photo after their final flight (fini-flight) at Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB), Mo., June 3, 2016. The Makros spent their 16th wedding anniversary flying B-2 Spirits, together, for the last time at Whiteman AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jovan Banks)